Technology giant Apple, to comply with the requirements of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), announced an update that will allow users to remove default apps from devices running iOS and iPadOS operating systems. With this update, users will be able to delete pre-installed apps such as the App Store, Messages, Camera, Safari, or set their desired third-party apps as defaults.
New Era in Default App Selection
This change is seen as a response to new regulations introduced by the European Union to increase competition in the technology market and expand users’ freedom of choice. Apple is trying to offer more flexibility to its users, encouraging third-party developers to play a more active role in the Apple ecosystem.
Moreover, in future updates, users will also be able to select different default applications for functions such as searching, messaging, text translation, password management, keyboard usage, and unwanted call filtering. This offers an unprecedented level of flexibility and personalization in Apple’s operating systems.
Apple’s Strategic Response to EU Regulations
This step by Apple is seen as a strategic move in response to the EU’s strict oversight and market regulations on technology companies. According to an announcement from Apple, these updates will be available for users in the EU by the end of the year. This development could significantly impact user experience and might lead other tech giants to take similar steps.